Linksys EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router review
Linksys introduced the EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router in 2014. It is powered by Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz chipset, 256 MB of RAM, and 128 MB of flash memory.
Keen to discover if this Linksys router lives up to the hype? Stay tuned for the answer!
Table of Contents
Our personal experiences and opinions form the basis of this article. We aimed to share insights on a topic, and we hoped others would find it useful and inspirational. The specs below rely on official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you noticed any mistakes or missing details about the Linksys EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900, please let us know. Furthermore, we strive to deliver a thorough and precise overview.
The EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 is a versatile router that offers more than basic functionality. It has advanced features and capabilities. It provides a reliable, fast network for homes and offices. This router has USB connectors. They add features and expand your network's capabilities. Linksys provides affordable networking solutions. They are accessible to many users.
Linksys EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 specifications
Brand | Linksys |
---|---|
Name | EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 |
Type | EA6900 |
Rating | |
Launch | 2014 |
Body
Dimensions | 256 x 40 x 184 mm |
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Weight | 534 g |
If you plan to move or travel a lot and need to take your router with you, the size is important. It needs to be small to be easy to carry. The weight of a router can matter in some situations. But, it is usually not as crucial as other factors. These factors include features and compatibility.
System
Chipset | Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz |
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RAM | 256 MB |
Flash | 128 MB |
OS | Linksys |
Power supply | 12 V / 3.5 A |
The Broadcom BCM4708A0 @ 800 MHz CPU provides processing power. It handles tasks and services within the EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router. The amount of RAM in a router can affect its performance. It also affects its capacity to handle concurrent operations and traffic. The 128 MB flash memory in the router serves as the storage medium for the router's firmware. The firmware upgrade process may vary depending on the router model. However, it often involves accessing the router's web-based administration interface. The Linksys packages the EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router with 12 V / 3.5 A PSU.
Network
Protocols | IPv4 IPv6 |
---|---|
LAN ports | 4 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
WAN ports | 1 x 10/100/1000 Mbps |
Mobile network | no |
VPN support | no |
Like many modern routers, the EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 supports many network standards too. The IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, represented as four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.0.1). The router also supports IPv6. This allows you to use the latest Internet Protocol. This router has Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. They provide data transfer speeds of up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) over Ethernet connections. This router ensures that you can use fast internet from your ISP fully.
Wireless
Antennas | 3 x 1.5 dBi RP-SMA |
---|---|
2.4 GHz | yes |
5 GHz | yes |
60 GHz | no |
Standards | IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
Class | AC1900 |
Speed | 600 + 1300 Mbps |
Transmit power | 25 dBm |
Security | WEP WPA WPA2 WPS |
Guest network | yes |
A well-positioned antenna can reduce interference and signal weakening. This leads to a more reliable connection. This router is 2.4 GHz capable. The 2.4GHz band refers to the portion of the radio spectrum between 2.400 and 2.4835 gigahertz. Using the 5 GHz band can move some devices from the crowded 2.4 GHz band. This cuts congestion and boosts the network. Wi-Fi 5 uses the 5 GHz band. It uses wider channels and advanced techniques to send data faster.
Real-world EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router speeds are lower than its theoretical maximum speed. WEP was the first Wi-Fi security protocol. But it is now seen as weak and easy to hack. The introduction of WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) improved upon WEP. It provides stronger security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) provides an easy method. It connects devices to a Wi-Fi network.
Connectivity
USB ports | 1 x USB 2.0 1 x USB 3.0 |
---|---|
Print server | yes |
File server | yes |
The USB 2 port has a maximum theoretical data transfer rate of 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The USB 3 ports provide a fast interface for external storage with data transfer rates of up to 4.8 Gbps. By connecting a USB printer to the EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router, you can make it accessible to all devices on your network. This router has a USB file server. It lets you connect external storage devices to your network. For example, you can connect USB flash drives or hard drives.
Administration
Default IP | 192.168.1.1 |
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Default username | admin |
Default password | admin |
If you can't log in to your Linksys router's setup panel, try resetting it. A reset can help you troubleshoot. It is highly recommended to change the default password of your EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 router. Do this after the initial setup.
Pros and Cons
Every router, including this Linksys one, has its good sides and not-so-good sides. Let's take a closer look at both to get a full understanding of what this router can do. We'll talk about what it does well and also where it could use some improvements. Just remember, this is just what I think, and you might see things differently.
Pros
- generous memory
- adequate flash
- IPv6 capable
- high-speed LAN port
- high-speed WAN port
- works on 5 GHz band
- decent Wi-Fi performance
- WPS friendly
- USB 2 compatible
- USB 3 compatible
- printserver functionality
- fileserver operation
Cons
- missing Wi-Fi 6 support
- incompatible with WPA3
Linksys EA6900 Smart Wi-Fi AC1900 photos
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